Tiyanjane Clinic Malawi

We support the Tiyanjane Clinic in Blantyre, Malawi The clinic is run by Dr Jane Bates, daughter of a member of St John's congregation, and provides palliative care and support for patients with HIV/Aids and other problems. The clinic was developed in response to the perceived gap between hospital discharge and an unsupported home environment.

'We operate in a resource poor setting within the government health sector which is under constant strain from large numbers of patients many of whom have advanced disease. There are limited diagnostic facilities and poor staff to patient ratios. Doing a proper assessment of pain and providing appropriate pain relief can make a big difference. The privacy of a clinic room allows the team to listen to and advise of issues of concern, helping to support families in the care of their patient at home.

In the community the Tiyanjane nurses work with volunteers and families helping to provide support and bring relief to patients in their homes.'

A recent letter from TIYANJANE CLINIC, MALAWI

Dear Ruth

I received an email the other day from the people who channel donations to say that Menston St Johns have donated £500 towards the work of the clinic.

I wanted to express my thanks and appreciation for the generosity and continued support of the congregation. In our environment such donations can go a long way to support our patients e.g. to provide basic drugs, incontinence pads, or even fuel for our motorbike to assist with a visit home.

Due to various factors (including both local politics and the wider donor environment) there is less and less money for essential medical services coming through the government hospital where we are based. Thankfully, we have at least had supplies of strong pain killers such as morphine for the whole of this year. Cancer services are slowly developing and we are working alongside them to ensure that patients get pain medication, information and advice whether or not they are suitable for any chemotherapy. We still don’t have radiotherapy in the country and this may take some time to become available.

The people we see at the hospital are the poorest in the country, with the most aggressive disease; Malawi being one of the poorest countries in the world. So you can be assured that the money you give will provide some hope and comfort to the poorest of the poor.